Researchers discover secret life of butterflies

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New research in north Queensland shows butterflies are not the feeble, fluttering insects they are made out to be.

Almost two years of research at James Cook University shows male butterflies spend their lifetime guarding their territory and fighting off competition.

Males patrol their territory from 9am to 5pm every day, while scanning the area for a receptive female.

Findings show males have poor eyesight and chase most moving objects.

In fact, it is not unusual for males to chase cars and birds, mistaking them for prospective mates.

Researcher Daryl Kemp says males rarely leave their territory. "In fact I've found some males defending the exact little territory location on successive days for about a month, which is really a long time," he said.

Females on the other hand are dedicated to reproducing and spend a lifetime laying hundreds of eggs, of which only two will hatch to replace the parents.